Costello report tipped to recommend selling power assets

The Electrical Trades Union (ETU) says it is convinced the State Government will sell Queensland electricity assets.

The Australian Financial Review newspaper says the sale of electricity generation and transmission assets is expected to be a key recommendation of the Costello Commission of Audit report.

The government has pledged not to sell assets without a mandate from the people.

Peter Simpson from the ETU says he has heard the government has already made up its mind.

"I've had leaks, believe it or not," Mr Simpson said.

"Clive Palmer's not the only one that gets phone calls from LNP backbenchers - I do as well.

"They've been telling us for sometime that especially in the generation sector that they've been manipulating the market to set this up for sale, making it more attractive so that buyers will want to buy it."

Treasurer Tim Nicholls says the government is yet to receive the final report, which is due next month.

He says no one would be surprised if it recommends better use of state assets, but the government would take that to an election.

"We would seek to take that to the people and say this is the reason for it, and do you support it or don't you support it," Mr Nicholls said.

"That's very much the commitment that this government has made - no sales without a mandate from the people."